File-rack.



JOHN H. BLANK. OF BLOOMFIELD, IOWA.

FILE-RACK.

Specification of Letters Patent. 3 Patented Feb. 26,1918.

Application filedil'anuary 6, 1917. Serial No. 140,961.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JO N H. PLnNK, a citizen-of the United States, residlng at I Bloomfield, in the county of Davis and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in File-Racks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is a file rack, more particularly adapted for use iii-connection with supporting books, envelope or papers in vertical positions, and also to provide for making subdivisions of the filed objects with suitable markings to indicate'the subdivisions;

One object of the invention is to provide a file rack of neat appearance, simple and strong in construction,effective to perform its required function, and one thatwill have a low manufacturing cost.

The feature of the invention resides in the provision of two parallel base strips having opposing grooves therein, in which grooves slidably engage the ends of wire partition members which serve to retain any alphabetical or numerical assortment of letters, files, books, or the like.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent in the detailed description which is to follow and which will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings which illustrate the invention,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the file constituting the invention, parts being broken away to illustrate the detailed construction thereof, and

Fig. 2 is a transverse section of Fig. 1.

Like characters denote like and corresponding parts throughout the specification and drawings.

The file, constructed according to this invention, may be adapted for use in connection with bookshelves for the purpose of retaining books in upright position, or may be used separate therefrom for the purpose of containing envelops or other assortment of papers.

According to the invention, two strips 1 and 2 are provided and are arranged in a substantially parallel spaced relation as will be clearly seen from Fig. 2. When using the device upon shelves, book-cases, or the like, these strips may be merely secured to the shelf 4 in spaced and parallel relation by screws or fastening means 3, as also Shown in, Fig. 2. In the event however, that it'is desired toiuse the invention as a portable device for desk use, the strips may be secured in spaced and parallel relation by a transverse bar 5 connecting the bars and secured thereto at their opposite edges. The opposing side edges of the strips 1 and 2 have longitudinal grooves or guideavays (5 formed therein and adapted to receive the ends .7 of the wire partition 8. These partitions 8 are preferably made of resilient wire bent upon themselves to a substantial U-formation, their free ends being extended outwardly and looped to form eyes 7 which,

as before stated, are slidably received in the o'pposmg grooves l), and are held therein by a the resiliency of the wire partltlons due to the bending thereof just referred to. The loop or eye portions 7 form a substantially flat base for the partitions which when engaged in the grooves hold the partitions in a vertical position. The partitions 7 are to be of substantially the same height, al-

though, a certain number thereof are of a greater height and are coiled at their vertices, as indicated by 9. These coil portions 9 preferably extend at right angles to the plane of the partition and have the conv-olutions thereof sufficiently spaced to permit the insertion of charactered plates 10 which are designed to divide the file into alphabetical or numerical divisions, for purposes which will be understood and as indicated in Fig. 1. Each of the divisions referred to may have any desired number of subdividing partitions therein. A retaining strip 11 is disposed and removably secured between said parallel strips 1 and 2 and is sufiiciently spaced from the grooved edges thereof as to permit a free sliding movement of the partition 8, but which will, I

however, prevent the accidental displacement of the partitions or a removal of their ends 7 from the grooves 6. It will thus be seen by the present invention, a file of novel construction is provided, having a plurality of partitions therein, that may be when the same is used in connection with bookshelves, this alphabetical or numerical CllVlSlOIl may be easily read at a glance.

The foregoing clearly describes my invenreadily adjusted along the base of the file tion however, 'it is .to be understood that certain changes may be made that do not depart'fromthe legitimate scope of the zip pended claims. i

W hat is claimed is i 1 A device of the character described comprising two spaced and substantially parallel strips having grooves formed in their Opposing sideedges a; plurality of par-c titionse'ach formed from a strand of wire bent upon itself and having its free ends looped-and extended laterallyfrom the body of thepartitions, each of said looped portions being adapted tobeslidably received in one of said grooves,'and a retaining strip disposed within the space between said first mentioned strips and spaced from the grooved vedges thereof-to permit a free slidv ing movementof the partitions, and for pre w.

said-partitions from said grooves. I

- 2. A devieeiof thecharacter described compr1s1'ng two spaced and substantially l venting accidental removal of the ends of parallel" strips having longitudinal grooves inthe opposing side edges thereof, a plurality of partitionseaeh consisting of a strand of wire bent uponitselfand having its free ends extended outwardly and laterally there- :from, each of said free ends of thepartitions being slidably received in one of said grooves, and a retaining strip disposed between said first mentioned strips and spaced portion of the U, the limbs of such partii tions being approximately parallel, and a retaining strip interposed between and spaced from the groovedstrips to permit the partitions to slide freely in the grooves and to prevent their accidental removal from the grooves In testimony whereof I allix my signature 7 in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. PLANK.

lVitnesses R. .O. Bnrs'row, J. C MCCURDY.

(haplerfo f this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G. 

